Well the kids and I got the old VAC out of the shop on 4 new tires yesterday. I drove it around for about 15 mins before I let the kids go for a spin and eveything seemed to work ok. The kids drove it around for about 30 mins and I would let them take it out of 3rd gear do to safety concerns with them. I jumped on it again and took it for a spin and so after a while the tractor seemed as if it just wanted to stall, so I got off and checked the carb and loosened the needle jet screw a bit and things cleared up. I took it about a half mile and it just all the sudden shut down. Don't know why? It had gas, but it started back up and we drove it another 20 mins and it quit again. I am thinking the carb still has some dirt or rust it. We are using a plastic lawn mower tank now for our pony tank so no rust in the tank issues.

Anyway, when the kids got off, their first words were, "that was a lot of fun, but now I'm really cold," Yes it was about 30 degrees when they took it for a spin. But the big thing is that now they get to see, hear, and test out all the hard work they have been doing since october. It just gives me the chills every time someone asks how our project is going or when the kids comment how much fun they are really having. Who knew it would catch on the way it has.

Things are about to take a big turn as Sandblasting is schedualed the 1st of March after FFA week is over. I have kids waiting to give paining a try, but a real pro is going to do the hood and side panels.

It will be off to blast next week and a local Auto body shop has offered to do the paint and body work for us at no charge, awesome!! I never thought I would come out of this project with few if any bills to pay. I will post pics of the painting process.

We got back to work on our VAC project tractor before break and over break I was able to get it painted up. I didn't want the kids to paint as I do not have respirators for them to wear. I wear a expensive one when painting a still feel a little sick the next day so that is why I wanted to keep them away.

Anyway, I have been able to prime and paint about all parts and now we will be reassembling over the next few weeks. I still need to do a little body work on the fenders and I noticed a few mounting tabs are missing so that will be the main issues. I will be making a wire harness myself with the kids and so it will be something more they will learn. Can't wait to get it driving again.